Monday 19-25 May 2014 is Deaf Awareness Week which aims to improve understanding of the different types of deafness by highlighting the many different methods of communication used by deaf, deafened, deaf-blind and hard of hearing people.
Helping someone understand the products and technology that are available is one very useful way of helping, and can lead to people being included in conversations, listen to the television or even talk on the phone with help of specialised equipment.
Talking on the phone and keeping in touch daily with friends and family is something most of us take for granted. However, those with hearing loss have special needs and require special products.
There are many telephones available suitable for homes with different hearing needs, so individuals can set their preference of sound levels that work with or without hearing aids and are often used successfully by those who are registered profoundly deaf.
Mobile phones like the amplicomms M7000 phone has amplification up to 100 times louder than a regular mobile. And, a wireless TV Listener means that volume levels on TV’s etc. can be amplified without disturbing everyone else!
More importantly it has a built-in microphone so the headset can be switched on or off to pick up close proximity noises too, so users aren’t excluded from conversations and noises around them.
Specially designed home phones that are Hearing Aid compatible may also help some deaf people to chat on the phone with friends and relatives.
Supported by over one hundred deaf charities and organisations under the umbrella of the UK Council on Deafness, Deaf Awareness Week involves a UK wide series of national and local events.
A wide range of amplicomms assistive listening devices are available from Action On Hearing Loss (formerly RNID) on 01733 361199 (textphone 01733 238020) or visit: www.actiononhearingloss.org.uk
